The 2007 edition of the SCORE Laughlin Challenge saw unseasonable cold
weather pass through southern Nevada. This combined with persistent
strong winds, kept the six-mile desert course almost dust free the
entire weekend. To ensure great viewing for the fans, SCORE officials
continually watered down the infield portion of the course throughout
the week.

The actual race consists of two, sixty minute races, one on Saturday
and one on Sunday. The various divisions of buggies and trucks are
divided into six groups with the first group starting at 7 AM. The
winner of each class is then determined by combining the finishing
positions of both days.

Friday afternoon saw Chris, and his co-driver Dennis Chencherick, made
one practice lap, and found the race truck's powerplant running
slightly off song. The guys brought the truck into the pit area and
the team went to work. The problem was diagnosed back to the newly
installed carburetor. Quickly the team went to work, the original
carburetor was installed and a new set of sparkplugs were dropped in
for good measure. As the sun set behind the mountains, the team was
confident that the 'Raffonator' Blazer was ready to race.

Saturday morning, Chris made the decision to lighten up the race
truck, by removing all the spare parts, as well as the tools the team
carries during a typical desert race. Since this was a short course
type of an event, the pit area would never be too far away. This
decision would come back to bite the team later in the day.

Saturday, 12 Noon - Race 1
The 'Raffonator' left the start line next to #303 Ken Leavitt. When
the green flag flew, Chris stomped on the pedal and the D & L
Performance powerplant launched the California Tomato Blazer down the
front straightaway. Halfway though the first lap, Chris had pulled
away from the #303 and passed two other competitors. Then suddenly,
the driveshaft broke and the #302 quickly stopped in its tracks. Since
the spare driveshaft and tool bag was removed before the start, the
day was over for Chris and Dennis.

"The truck was running strong and the Bilstein shocks really handled
this rough track, but removing all the tools and spares from the
truck, cost us the race today," commented Chris Raffo. "My guys will
have the truck ready before the sun sets, and will get'em tomorrow."

Sunday morning, saw the crew double check the truck, and top off the
fuel cell. Of course the tool bags and spare parts were mounted back
on the truck, just to be on the side of caution.

Sunday, HIGH NOON - Race 2
Right off the start, Chris and Dennis took the lead in the class by
the first mile of the race. This time the four lap race went perfect.
Gradually the #302 California Tomato, Fig Partners, Hot Creek Capital,
D & L Performance, Phil's Inc., Powermaster, BFGoodrich Tires, Chevy
K5 Blazer built up a commanding lead. At the finish line, the
'Raffonator' Blazer won the Class 3 race by over nine minutes.

After conferring with officials, Chris Raffo was awarded with fewer
championship points than expected. This was to due the 'Did Not
Finish' result on Saturday. Even so, the team was extremely pleased
with Sunday's winning performance.

"Once again the truck roared off the starting line. The run went
perfect. We were able to pass both of the Hummer H1's that started in
front of us. That was just icing on the cake. Even though this is
considered a short course race by many, we went into today with a
desert racer's mindset. We ran fast were we could, didn't take any
chances in the real rough stuff. And this course is really rough. Now
it's time to get ready for San Felipe." - comments from Chris Raffo.

"Friday night we were talking about how the WSORR Short Course racers
just would fly over that first hill without slowing down, and I just
hoped Chris would remember to slow down," commented co-driver Dennis
Chencherick. "Well, Saturday we charged it pretty hard, today Chris
took it much easier knowing we had to finish. I just went along for
the ride, as everything went as planned."